free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football, soccer, or rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere

especially : such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction of the rules by an opponent

Examples of free kick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And in the preceding match, the Canadian international converted on a free kick in second-half stoppage time to hand the Summit a 2-1 victory over Utah in the Continental Divide rivalry match. — Karan Lodha, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner. — Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

The 33-year-old Portugal international scored on a free kick from 27 yards out. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Youssef Maziz played a free kick from the right side into the area that was redirected by Ebobisse off the back post and into the net. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for free kick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick

Kids Definition

free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football or soccer) with which an opponent may not interfere

also : such a kick awarded because an opponent has broken the rules